Conduit-forming mechanism



1931. o. MOLIN ET AL 1, 8

CONDUIT FORMING MECHANISM FiIed Feb. 2'/,' 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet. 1

LE]- 1 Oscar Mnlin 4 I? William LT. Plml'm Ho: u c 11 Jan. 6, 1931. o. MOLIN ET AL 1,788,200

CONDUIT FORMING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 2'7, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

gwuwntou [Iscur muli'n William J. mnlin vwjgg$ Filed Feb. 27, 192 4 Sheets-Sheet, 3

Jan; 6 1931. o. MOLIN ET AL 1,783,200

CONDUIT FORMING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 27, 1926 4 shepts-sheet' 4 I I gvwemtow Usccu- Mali-r1, I William LT. PIulifi Patented Jan. 6, 1931 S ATEN OFFIeEZ I osoA'n Moran Ann wILLIAM J. MoLIm'orsnrAUL, MINNESOTA! v connnrr-ronmme MECHANISM Application filed'iebruary 27, 1926. Serial No." 91,091.

Our invention relates to conduit forming mechanism including collapsible forms which may be connected together to form a continuous conduit of concreteor other'material 5 and to permit portions to be connected together' and moved along from time to time toj make up the continuous conduit. w A feature of the invention resides 1n a S1111- ple design of inner form which is adapted to in be supported in a manner so as to hold the same in place to form the inside form and to be expandedinto operating position or col lapsedjso as to be carried along through the conduit. Y V

Further, the invention includes means for holding the reinforcing rings so as to equally space the sameapart and to hold the same while these reinforcing rings are embedded in the base of the conduit in a manner so as to 2e provide a uniformity of spacing of' these rin 's and permitting the longitudinal reinforcing members to be tied thereto so as to hold the rings in place over the top until the concreteis poured about the same. 7 The invention includes a hoisting frame which is adj ustable in a manner so as to hoist the inside form into" operative position or to engage the same and withdraw and reduce the size of the same so as to permit the form to be as passed on through the conduit clearing the forms which are in place to hold the concrete until it sets. The simplicity of this hoisting frame is a feature of the invention as it is made up of a series of angle and channel iron 3 members which are secured together in a manner to form a T-shaped: endframe with a proj ecting upper portionwhich extends longitudinally of the frame in a manner to carry the center hoisting members on eitherend of the same projecting above and from the ends of the main frame to provide the necessary clearance for operation. The detail of construction of this hoisting frame is an important feature of our invention.

Our invention includes the supporting frame for the reinforcing rings which is adapted to holdthe rings spaced apart and this frame is collapsible so that after the reinforcing rings are wired into place with the longitudinally extending reinforcing rods and the concrete base is poured the reinforcmg. supporting frame can be taken down.

Tiese supporting frames for the reinforcing uedalong to'be used over and over to form the continuous condult.

It is a feature of the invention to provide cheek plate forms which. are provided with preferred form circumferential reinforcing means adapted to arcuate above the'te of the cheek platein a manner so as to connect with a similar reinforcing arcuatcd arm of the cheek plate on the other side of the conduit form, these arcuated members being adapted to be connected centrally and providing means for spacing thecheek plate apart provided over the space through which the concrete is poured into the form. The lower portion of the cheek plate is adapted to be attached to the base form so to hold the same firmly in place to permit the concrete to be formed without distorting the form. The arcuated preferred form circumferential arms of the cheek plate form transverse braces while suitable longitudinal reinforcing means extend along each plate, thereby making the cheek plate perfectly rigid and With an arcuated nature so'that with our forms av circular or approximately circular conduit is formed. v 1

The simplicity of our form and'method of making a continuous circular conduit is of primary importance in our invention. All of the forms are easily taken apart so as'to completely collapse the same. Each form is interconnected with similar forms so that these unitforms can'be set up and are can be moved from placeto place and contin r specification formed. As far as we know no form has ever been used before-for supporting the circular reinforcing rings wh ch extend transversely V of the conduit and are adapted to be embedded in the walls of the same. This is an importantfeature in our invention. 7

These features together withflother objects and particular forms and the method of making continuous conduit will be more clearly and specifically set fo'rtli'inthe specification and claims. r V. c

i In the drawings forming part of i this Figure 1 is a side view of apor tion of our condu t forming device and form, part of which; is brok n. a ay howing aside l v t on. o the am n e F gu 2 isa-seeti n on the lin 22 of Figure 1. V

v Figure 3 illustrates a transverseviewparv ly in section of the base of the conduit, showing the. base forms in place and showing the frame for the holding ring reinforeing means used in the conduit.

Figure 4 is a side View of the base frame, showing the ring supporting frame for the e f r g, i p i ion upporfiing'th rings of reinforcing material; each; of which are ipaced apart and held inthis position by our rame.

Figure 5 is a side eleyationiof thelhoistingi fram as i wou appea inounted upon the carrying truck with the formsljremoved from the same.

Figure 6 is a detail illustrating the reinforcing and tyingmeansfor supportingthe base, together with the connection-for attaching the cheek plates to'the base-form,

Figure 7 is an endview of-Vone .of the cheek plates illustrating the radial 'arcuated {I beams reinforcing and supporting arm, with a connecting portion which extends above the top of the cheek plate.

"Figure 8 is an enlarged-end View along 7 the line 8.8 of Figure 7, illustrating the connecting plate of the end of the arcuated arm which is adapted to connect with the similar arm on the other. side of theconduit.

collapsible forms.

Fi ure 9 is a perspective View of one of the V Inthe drawings our conduit making device and collapsibleform A 15 adapted to be set the base portion C is formed first by setting up the base sections 10 spaced apart from each other-and positioned on the ground line 11. Suitable cross angles'12 are connected at the top of the base portions in a manner so as to space the same apart and hold the same firmly in place. 1 J

The base members 10 are formedwith side plates 18 which are held to extend annularly fromthe ground line 11 by the triangular bracket plate'l l. Each section of the base lOiis formed with end triangular angle plates '14 anda centrally positioned angular plate 141 positioned between the ends of the base plate 10. To provide a guide for the bottom of the conduit, that is the inside or diam"- eter in the base portion of the conduit 0, we provide channel iron members 1.5 \i"hich extend across below the angle plate 12. Thesechannel members 15 providea guide so the: concrete forming the base C can be troweled to form the trough-like bottom conforming with the curvature of the channel member '15. r Before the base portion C has been poured and properly formed into the crosssectional shape illustrated in Figure .8, the ring r-einforcing supporting frame D is attached to the angle member 12. This frame D is made up of the end members 16 which form the upright support, projecting upward from theangle member 12 connected thereto by the 'brace17.

1 ;The upright standardlti of the reinforc ing supporting means D are adapted to support the angle member 18 extending horizontally from one ofthe members 16 to the other, and the members 16 are connected at the bottom to -the angle members 12 approximately centrally between the ends of the same, so that the upright or standards '16 are adaptedto extend in the center or radius of the reinforcingrings 19. The rings 19 are formed-with overlapping ends 20 at the top which connected by the loops 21 leaving the ends 20 free toe rpand when the inner form for the conduitis placed in position, as will be hereinafter described;

Suitablebrace members 22 extend from the standard 16 toward the center of the ring supporting angle 18 so as to form the frame rigidly and 0f asubstantial nature so as to hold the reinforcing rings'19 in place. The

work of reinforcing is properly spaced and held in position so that the forms can be set up 'aboutthe same to properly place the forms about the upper portion of ther'ings and other longitudinally extending reinforcing rods 23. 3

Our frame D permits {the easy'setting up of the reinforcin rings'andmakes it more easy to operate the forms in the formation of a' concrete conduit such as B. Our frame D is entirely collapsible as itcan be taken apart and moved from place to place, being adaptable tobe set up along the line of the conduit when thevbase-sectionslO are set up.

After the base portion C of the conduitB has been formed and properly set, the frame D is taken down andmoved along to a polnt where it is desired to be set up again for use,

leaving the inside ofthe net work of reinforcing rods and ringsfree to receive the track 24 which is adapted to carry thetruck 25 which supports the hoisting'means The hoisting means E is of avery slmple I construction and'is made up of the supporting end standards 26 which support the longitudinally extending angle 'mernbers 27 along each side of the standards 26' and formed with a projecting portion 2801i either end of the same which-is adapted to support the hoisting screw 29. The screw 29 18:70P- erated by a suitable handle 30 to raise and lower the heads 31 on the screws 29. 1

The standards 26 are adapted to support cross channels 32 which are spaced below the longitudinal angles 27 and are adapted to form approximately a T-shaped frame with the standards 26. Depending from; either end of thechannels 32 we provide a'd uStmg screws 33 which are operated by handles 34. The adjusting screws 34 are each provided with a form engaging head 35.

Brace angles 36areconnected to thestand- 1 ards 26 and extend fromthe bottom of one member to the top of the other member so as to form cross braces, as illustrated 1n Figure 5 torigidly support the frame of the hoisting device E;

The hoisting means E is carried on the truck 25 which is provided with suitable wheels on either end adapted to run on the. track 24. This track is set up along the center of the base C, as illustratedin Figure 2,

and is just long enough so as to permit thetruck to operate along the inside of the conduit B, a distance sufficient to take the forms after the concrete has set and move them on to a new portion which is being set up so that the form can be set up there and be made ready'for the pouring of the concrete.

The hoisting means E is thus provided with two screw members 29 which are adapt ed to hoist and engage the center plate member 38 centrally at 39, as illustrated in Figure 2, while the screw members with the heads are adapted to engage the side plates of the inside form 10 which is illustratedd agra'n'unatically in Figure 9 of the drawings. Figure 2 shows the engagement of the plates 35 with the sides 40 of the inside form Fl' Iii this figure the form F is illustrated in dotted out-line collapsed and contracted so as to clear the form F which is set up and illustrated in full lines, in Figure 2. The form Fis provided with key plate por tions41, which are hingedly securedv to the lower ends of themembers 40 at 42. The plates 40 are hingedly connected at 43 to the center top ,plate form .38. The key plate members 41 are adapted to be folded in as illustrated in dotted 7 Outline in Figure 2, when the form F is desired to be withdrawn after the concrete of the conduit B'has set and the'form F is desired to be removed and car a continuation or. the conduit B. V

The screw members33 allow the side plate members 40 to'fold inwardly afterthe key members 41 have been released from the points 44 oneither side of the base portion and channel members15. lVhen the form F is set" up the key plates 41 engage the base plates 15 and lock and hold the formF practically circular, or forming that portion of a circle about the base' Gcto 'hold the form F rigidlyin place, so asto form the insideform against which. the concrete of the conduit is poured and formed, Thissimple construction of the inside form F'is very desirable, making the.

same, formed with the center portion 38, the side members 40, and the key plates 41. r The screw members 33 operate to allow the plates 40 to foldinwardly and it is to be noted that the screw members .29, together with the screw members 33 are positioned outwardly from theend of thehoistingmechanism E; This is an important and practical detail of our invention as it permits the'operation of two workmen within the conduit, to rapidly set up and takedown the inside forms F, thus permitting conduit to be formed very rapidly by our method using our particular inecha nism, together with the collapsible vi"1oi"nis.

Another feature which is important in our hoisting mechanism E is, that the same is Y formed of the two standardsQG on the end of the same. These standards are directly in the center of the holding truck 25 and permit form the outside form of the sides of the'conduit so that the concrete for the conduit 13 can be poured between the cheek plates G and the inside form F.

The cheek plates G are made up of the plate 80 rled along to a new pointto be set up to form members 4:6 which are reinforced. by trans vcrsetand longitudinal members 47, 48 and I fit) extending in a manner tobracethe plates longitudinally, "while the; end 'members. 5.0 reinforce the ends .ofgthe cheel;v plates G.

Suitable central reinforcing platesrorf angles 51 extend acrossithe platesAG, approximately centrally betaveenthe ends 50 of the same. All of these reinforcing membersare ofangle iron or other suitable. reinforcing means for the longitudinal reinforcing, the end and edge portions so as to'per nit the cheek sections G to be connected .one to the otherasillustrated in Figurel. V I

The lower port on or edgeltl of the. check plates G are adapted to besecured to the base sections 10 alongthe upper edge of the base plates 10 which are also reinforcedwith angle membersalong ancfabontthe edge of the same which members fit together withthe angle members 49 so that they can be bolted together s is illustrated in Figure 6. 1 'Along the upper edge 52' of the base plates 10 as ill 'i'strated'injFigure 6, reinforcing tie wires 53 are extended from: the reinforcing rings 19 and over some ofthe longitudinal reinforcing rods 23and extended out through the plate 10 with a wedge rod 54: through the outwardly projecting loop of the Wire 53.

After the concrete is poured and the conduit is complete, and when the sideplates 10 are taken away, the wedge 54 is driven out permitting the plates 10 to be removed therefrom.

Arcuated-base members formed ofI beams, such as '55 are secured to the outside surface of the cheekplates G and spaceda short distance from the ends 50 of the, same; The lower ends of these arcuated braces 55 are secured, as illustrated at 56 in'Figure 6, to the base plates 10. The upper ends of these reinforcing members 55 project above the top 47 and curve in a manner so that'the' cheek plates oneither side of the condu-it B can be portion C between the plates of the cheek plates G and the inside forms F. Thus the plates 38, 40 and key plates 41 form the 111- side plates against which the concrete is formed, while the cheek plates {16 form the outside against which vthe concrete moulds.

The portion above the edges d7 of the cheek plates is troweled by hand and smoothed over so as toform and shape the same to conform with the circular formation of the projecting portions of the braces 55 and the continuation of the plates l6. -Tl1isQope-ningat the "ing the conduit these. forms.

In fact, the .operatingis so simple with our. forms that the-conduit is made up very rapidly and of a-vvvery smooth and desirable COl lllQlllllbll having the irregularities which are so often apparent in making conduit of th s naturc. 'We ha-veadapted and used our forinsto. a considerable extentinforming sirable fon practical use. i

T he formssfor our mechanism for making conduit and other similar concrete forms are ofra simple practical nature, being eficctitc in use. collapsible so as to be stored away in a small space, or shipped from place to place; allof the parts being separable from each other-so that the same can be taken down yery-readilwglor so that the sections the same can easily moved from placeto place. By having aseries of these sections, includingvtheibase portions .1 0, the reinforcing frame holding means or supporting means D, thea-insidc forms F, the outer cheeks (it, these sections and forms can be set up rapidly and moved along as fast asthe poured concrete has'setsuificiently so that the form can be contracted and moved along to form a support 7 for the pouring of additional concrete Conduits: and have found the same most dotoicontinue the conduit for the distanccthat "may be 1 cleslred.

Thereinforcing frame D is very important as it permits the reinforcing a)- he vreadily and qnicklyset up in a very accurate manner with the parts properly spaced apart. and the=reinforcingrings 19 held in the notches, formed along the top of the member: 18 of the frame D until the longitudinal reinforcing rods are secured and tied thereto, then permitting thereinforciug frame D to be taken down; and the inside forms to be set un suchas F, after which all that !l(('0, sary is to set the cheek plates at the concrete base, and pourthe concrete for the top of the conduit; permitting us with our method and means of forming a conduit to work very rapidly and save considerable time over othcrmethods which have been used heretofore in so far as'we know; V

In accordance with the patent statutes we have described the principles of operation of our method of forming concrete conduits, together with our form of collapsible forms and reinforcing or holding means and while we have illustrated a particular formation and construction in the drawings we desire to haveit understood that this is onlyillustrw ,tive, and that the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those aboveset forth within the scop of the following claims.

We claim: I

1-. The method offorining a continuous conduit of an approximately circular nature inside, consisting in first forming the base;

with an inner circular bottom surface and holding reinforcing members of :ci.rcular nature suspended \vhllesa'id base is formed to project and be embedded'therein, then tying longitudinally extending reinforcing 7 members tothe circular reinforcing members heldby the base and then forming the con crete conduit in a circular nature about: the reinforcing members and shaping the Sallie across the top to form a substantially circular conduit to 'extend continuously a 2. A collapsible form for forming con} duits including base sections adapted to *support side plates to project inwardly With the arcuate d -center braces extending be tween the side plates, horizontal transverse angular, members adapted-t space the side plates apart and hold the arcuated center brace. members, contractible inside forum members including a series of plates hinged ly connected together with atop central plate, side'plates on either side thereof and key plates on the ends of the side plates and outside cheek plate, the ,bottoin' edge of Which is adapted to besecured to the base at the outer side thereof, ar'ouated transverse brace members extending over said cheek plate s'and adaptedto be connected at V the top in a manner-to hold the cheek-plates concentric vWith-the center form a'nd'fto provide an open 'pourlng space between the upper edges of the cheek plates.

3. Reinforcing supporting means for conduits including, a collapsible frame having upright standards on the ends thereof, 7 a longitudinally extending central member between the standards at the top thereof, a base means for supporting said standards including cross angle members, brace means extending from said cross members to said standards, andbrace means extending from I said standards to said longitudinal member, andaseries of notches equally spaced apart along the, upper edge of sa d longitudinalm'ember' adapted to receive a series of reinforcing rings to support'the same;

4. 'A reinforcing supporting means for"- conduits including, a frame"having-afcen tral, longitudinal member,a series of recesses formed in the upper edge of said memg ber adapted to reueiveand supportthe reinforcing rings to hold the same practically equally spaced apart until the longitudinal reinforcing rods are tiedthereto, andstandaid and base means 'for supporting said frame. 5.- Reinforcing supporting means for use inthe formation of conduits'including, col lapsible frame means adaptedtosupport the transverse rings to hold the same until the base portion of the conduit is formed and setabout'the reinforcing rings, collaps- I ible standards for supporting said rein forcing supportingmeans, and brace mem bersdetachably. secured thereto. V

Reinforcing supporting means for the transverse rings of a conduit including, a

series of angle iron members adapted to be detachablylconnected together ina manner to'be collapsed into a compact state andhaving a, series of brace members adapted to hold a longitudinal" central member rigid with standards for supporting the same until the reinforcing rings of the conduit are set in the base portion.

7. Collapsible forms, for making a continuous conduit including, base sections, .br'ace members extending horizontally to space said base sections apart, arcuated channel members adapted to formbrace engaginglmembers for the inside lower sur face of the vconduit, an :inside form comprising a series of plate members hingedly connected together .Withone member centrallyat thetop, having a side plate on either"side'thereof and key members connected to the free edge of the side plates, whereby the" inside form 'can'be supported Wholly and entirely on the base'section,

forming a continuation of the arcuated channelbrac'es for the purposes set forth,

8. Conduit forming mechanism lncluding,

a series of base sections, angle members for,

' centric with the set up center form, the cheek plates and the center' forms being adapted to be supported on the said base sections. 7 9. Concrete forming mechanism including, a' series of sectional forms adapted to provide the form plates for receiving the poured concrete, base sections including triangular shaped brace members at the ends and center thereof, center channel. guide members adapted to be equally spaced between the base sections to form the guide for theinside. formation of the conduit, horizoir ta l brace means adapted to support the guide channels and side plates spaced apart, contractible inside form sections having key plateson the ends thereof adapted to'fold inwardly to permit-the contracting and expanding'of the inside form plates, carriage and expandingmeans for said inside form sections, cheek plates adapted to form the V eluding, in side forms hingedly connected toside must-or th'eoutside form of the conduit, an 'arcuated' transversely extending brace member adapted to'space thecheek members apart in a manner to hold thecheek members in the same arcuated formation as the inside form sections for the purposes specified.

10. Sectionalforms for conduit formation 1 to be nade up of concreteincludinga cheek plate having an outer brac'ememb'er adapted to extend beyond one end of the same to form connecting means to space the edges of i the 'cheek members apart, an inside form mem- 1 be'r adapted to provide a vcoll'apsible and ext-Y 'pandible inside unit form, a spaced section including side plates, projecting brackets on said side plates to support the-said plates,

meansfor spacing and connecting said side plates together in a manner so that said cheek plates-and inside form unit may be supported on said base plate section after the base of the conduit'is formed ofconcrete With a large open space between the cheek plates adapted to receive the poured concrete between the cheek plates and th'e'inside form unite a 11. A collapsible conduit form unit 1nget-her With key plates on the free ends of the inside unit whereby said inside unit is self supportingand of an arcuated nature when the key' plates are in operative position, a-

port'a'ble base section having inner arcuated brace members ada ted to en a e with said key plates'to hold the same in operativeposi t-ion, reinforcing loops extending through a portion. ofthe base of the conduit to connect the inside and the outside'of'the base sections together with the arcuated,inside'members,

and outercheek plate forms havingymeans members embeddedtherein and projecting;

from the same to form a reinforcing for the top of the conduit, then formingthe conduit about the reinforcing members, leaving the form uutil t-hc concrete has set and then moving the same on to a previously formed: base port on to continuously form-the con duit, collapsing the form within the conduit and passing the same inside of forms holding a plastic conduit that has not .yet been-set.

13. A collapsible conduit forming section comprising, aibase forming. section including tivo side plates,- triangular shaped .base braces-extending out from said side plates,

horizontally extending angle: iron members adaptedto space said side plates apart, in-

side conduit guide members a'daptedto be supported to said horizontal angle member,

an inside formunit consisting of an upper 'ai'cuated central plate, arcuated side "plates h'inge dly secured to said centralplate,'arcu- 'ated'key plates hingedly connected to the free ends of said side plates, and a cheek plate unit being formed'to simulate the arcuations of the inside form plate and having transversely extending brace members with a portion extending beyond one edge ofthe same, said extending portion of said brace members being adapted to connect-With similar brace members so the ehe'ek plate on the other side. is-efplally spaced apart from the -inside form unitin a manner so that said inside .form unit and outside cheek plate are adapted to 'be supportedto said base plate unit, to provide a. form for receiving concrete to make up a conduit.

' l4.v Conduit makingform sections including, an inside form section having a series of plates hingedly connectedtogether with key plateson the free-ends of either side thereof, outside cheek platesections', brace memberssec ured to and projecting from said outside cheekplate sectlons to space the same apart on either sideof the conduit toform the outside form Walls'of the conduit, ,vvith an opening for receiving the concrete at the top thereof, and aibaseuforming section ini eluding plate members adapted to be spaced apart Withinside gauge members adapted to coact With the base plate member in a manner to support the inside.;f0rm section and the outside cheek plate section to provide a collapsible concrete form for conduit,

15 /A collapsible conduitlforming form including, unit sections having base plateinembers adaptedto be spaced apart to permit the base ofthe conduit to be first formed,

inside form members connected together in a manner to be contracted or expa1 1de'd-, said inside form members being, self-supporting with the base of the, conduit when set up,

outside cheekqform members --providing the side plate of the formfor the unit'for forming-conduit, said outside members including reinforcing beams adapted to space the out side cheek plates concentric from the inside members and open at the top to receive the concrete, said base plate members supporting said cheek members at the bottom thereof.

' 16. Themethod of constructing andholding reinforcing for conduits consisting in settingj-up a frame adapted to hold annular reinforcing means equally spaced apart. then securingto the annular, reinforcing means longitudinally extending reinforcing means, then' pouring thebase of the conduit after which said supporting means is removed :and

the forms for .the conduit are placed thereabout 1;Z. A4.collapsible: 'supporting."device for holding reinforcing means in making concrete conduit including; :1 base portion and nieans extending froniseid base portion in a manner to support reinforcing nieinbers extending trensverselyfof the conduit, said supporting means being collapsible after longitudinal tie ineinbershave beenisecured to said transversely extending reinforcing mem: bers.

18. The method of'constructing conduit and reinforcingadapted to be embedded therein consisting insetting reinforcing'sup- I porting means supporting reinforcing rings therefrom, and tying longltudinally extending reinforcing members to said relnforcing rings, then pouring the base of the conduit;

then collapsing said reinforcing supporting means Within the net Work of reinforcing, and inol'dlng concrete in a manner to entirely embed said reinforcing means. 1 p

19. The method officonstructing concrete 1 conduit consisting in setting up base forms for the concrete, then setting up reinforcing c lapsed and removed from Within the net Work of reinforcing and then molding concrete to complete the conduit. 7

OSCAR MOLIN. VILLIAM J i MOLIN. 

